JP6862674B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ink jet recording equipment.

Conventionally, there is an inkjet recording device that ejects ink to a recording medium from a recording head provided with a nozzle for ejecting ink and records an image on the recording medium. In addition, some inkjet recording devices are provided with an image pickup means provided with a plurality of image pickup elements, and an image recorded on a recording medium by a recording head can be captured by the image pickup means. In such an inkjet recording device, it is determined whether or not an appropriate image is recorded based on the data captured by the imaging means, and based on the data captured by the imaging means of a predetermined test image recorded by the recording head. It is possible to detect nozzles with poor ink ejection.

Inkjet recording devices are increasing the number of nozzles in recording heads and increasing the density of nozzle arrangements in order to meet the demand for higher definition of recorded images. Further, in order to read a high-definition image recorded by such a recording head with high resolution, there is a demand for high density in the arrangement of image pickup devices in the image pickup means.

However, it is not easy to accurately and densely arrange a large number of image pickup elements in one image pickup means, and there is a problem that the cost of the image pickup means increases when the image pickup elements are arranged in this way.
On the other hand, a plurality of image pickup means having each of the image pickup elements arranged in high density are provided, each of the plurality of image pickup means captures different ranges of the recorded images, and the obtained plurality of image pickup data are combined. (For example, Patent Document 1). As a result, it is possible to easily and inexpensively configure the image pickup means while arranging a large number of image pickup elements at high density.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-66622

However, the above-mentioned conventional technique has a problem that it takes time to sequentially transfer and output a plurality of imaging data generated by a plurality of imaging means to a storage means.

The purpose of the invention is to provide an ink jet recording equipment which can perform processing of the image data in a shorter time.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 is
A recording means that ejects ink to a recording medium,
A plurality of imaging means for capturing an image recorded by the recording means on the recording medium, and
A plurality of imaging data correction means for correcting the imaging data of the image input from each of the plurality of imaging means according to predetermined calibration data.
A storage means for storing the corrected image pickup data of the image input from each of the plurality of image pickup data correction means, and a storage means.
A moving means that moves the imaging range of the plurality of imaging means and the recording medium relative to each other in the first direction, and moves the recording means and the recording medium relative to each other in the first direction.
A recording control means for ejecting ink by the recording means onto a recording medium that moves relative to the recording means to record the image and a predetermined test image on the recording medium.
An adjustment information generating means that generates adjustment information related to adjustment of ink ejection operation by the plurality of nozzles based on the imaging results of the test image by the plurality of imaging means.
With
Each of the plurality of image pickup means has an image pickup element group including a plurality of image pickup elements arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the image pickup range of the plurality of image pickup means is described. The surface of the relative moving recording medium is imaged by the image sensor group to generate the image pickup data.
The recording means is provided over a predetermined recording width in the second direction, has a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink to a recording medium, and is provided with a group of nozzles composed of the plurality of nozzles. Has multiple recording heads
The plurality of recording heads have the arrangement range of the nozzle group in each of the plurality of recording heads in the second direction of the image pickup device group in any one of the plurality of image pickup means. It is provided so as to be included in the arrangement range in the second direction.
Each of the plurality of imaging means is provided so that the imaging range on the surface of the recording medium is at least partially different from each other.
The plurality of image pickup means have a continuous arrangement range of the plurality of image pickup elements in the plurality of image pickup means in the second direction, and at least the arrangement range of the image pickup elements in the second direction. The range near the end of the image sensor group within a predetermined proximity range from one end is provided so as to overlap the range near the end of the image sensor group of any of the other image sensors.
The plurality of recording heads have a continuous arrangement range of the plurality of nozzle groups in the plurality of recording heads in the second direction, and at least one side of the plurality of recording heads in the arrangement range of the nozzle group in the second direction. A range near the end of the nozzle group within a predetermined proximity range from the end is provided so as to overlap the range near the end of the nozzle group of any other nozzle group, and at least a pair of the imaging elements. The range for the second direction in which the range near the end of the imaging element group of the group overlaps includes the range for the second direction in which the range near the end of the nozzle group of the pair of nozzles overlaps. Provided so that
The correction by at least one of the plurality of imaging data correction means and the output of the imaging data to the storage means, and the correction by the other at least one imaging data correction means and the imaging data to the storage means. Is output in parallel for at least some period of time,
Each of the plurality of image pickup data correction means has the image sensor group among the pair of image pickup data of the test image by the pair of image pickup means whose arrangement range of the image sensor group overlaps in the range near the end of the image sensor group. A signal output from the image sensor group of the pair of image pickup means so as to reduce the difference of representative values in the overlap portion of each of the pair of image pickup data based on the overlap portion corresponding to the end vicinity range. Or, correct the image sensor based on the output signal ,
Of the ranges in the second direction in which the range near the end of the image pickup element group of the pair of image pickup elements overlaps, the second range of the pair of nozzle groups near the end of the nozzle group overlaps. The length in the second direction of only one of the ranges excluding the range in the direction of is larger than the length in the second direction of the range near the end of the nozzle group overlapping in the pair of nozzle groups. It is also characterized by being large.

The invention according to claim 2 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1.
The storage means has a plurality of imaging data storage units, and has a plurality of imaging data storage units.
Each of the plurality of imaging data correction means is characterized in that the imaging data is output to the imaging data storage units that are different from each other.

The invention according to claim 3 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The recording control means separates the portions of the test image recorded by the pair of recording heads in which the arrangement ranges of the nozzle groups overlap in the range near the end of the image sensor group from each other on the recording medium. It is characterized by recording in the area.

The invention according to claim 4 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The adjustment information generation means separately generates a portion of the adjustment information related to a recording head corresponding to the plurality of imaging data based on each of the plurality of imaging data of the test image by the plurality of imaging means. It is characterized by doing.

The invention according to claim 5 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The adjustment information generating means detects a defective nozzle with poor ink ejection among the plurality of nozzles based on the imaging result of the test image, and uses the recording means so as to supplement the defective ink ejection of the defective nozzle. Among the image data related to the recorded image, the adjustment information for adjusting the data corresponding to the defective nozzle and the nozzles around the defective nozzle is generated.
The recording control means is characterized in that an image is recorded by the recording means based on the image data adjusted according to the adjustment information.

The invention according to claim 6 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The adjustment information generating means detects a defective nozzle having an abnormality in the ink landing position with respect to the recording medium in the first direction among the plurality of nozzles based on the imaging result of the test image, and ink by the defective nozzle. Generates the adjustment information that adjusts the discharge timing,
The recording control means is characterized in that ink is ejected by the recording means so that the ink ejection timing by the defective nozzle is adjusted according to the adjustment information.

The invention according to claim 7 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .
The nozzle groups in each of the previous SL plurality of recording heads ejects the amount of ink corresponding to the intensity of the voltage of the drive signals respectively supplied to the recording head from the nozzle,
The adjustment information generating means determines the voltage intensity of the drive signal for adjusting the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles of the nozzle group by each of the plurality of recording heads based on the imaging result of the test image. Generate the adjustment information to be adjusted,
The recording control means is characterized in that an image is recorded by the recording means using a drive signal whose voltage intensity is adjusted according to the adjustment information.

The invention according to claim 8 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The number of the image pickup elements included in the image pickup element group end vicinity portion in each of the pair of the image pickup element groups having overlapping arrangement ranges in the image pickup element group end portion vicinity portion is 100 or more. ..

The invention according to claim 9 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The recording control means is characterized in that the test image is recorded in a region of the recording medium on which a normal image to be recorded is not recorded by the recording means.

The invention according to claim 10 is the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
The recording control means is characterized in that the test image is recorded on the recording medium by the recording means every time the normal image to be recorded is recorded on the recording medium a predetermined number of times by the recording means.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that the processing of the imaging data can be performed in a shorter time.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the inkjet recording apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the head unit and the image reading part. It is a block diagram which shows the main functional structure of an inkjet recording apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the part corresponding to a signal processing part in a 1st image pickup control part and a 2nd image quality control part. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement of a normal image and a test chart recorded on a recording medium. It is a figure which shows the example of the test chart. It is a figure which shows the example of the arrangement of the test chart recorded by each of a plurality of recording heads. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure by a CPU of an image recording process.

It will be described below with reference to embodiments according to the ink jet recording equipment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The inkjet recording device 1 includes a paper feeding unit 10, an image recording unit 20, a paper ejection unit 30, and a control unit 40 (FIG. 3). Under the control of the control unit 40, the inkjet recording device 1 conveys the recording medium P stored in the paper feeding unit 10 to the image recording unit 20, and the image recording unit 20 records an image (inkjet image) on the recording medium P. Then, the recording medium P on which the image is recorded is conveyed to the paper ejection unit 30. As the recording medium P, in addition to paper such as plain paper and coated paper, various media such as cloth or sheet-shaped resin capable of fixing the ink landed on the surface can be used.

The paper feed unit 10 includes a paper feed tray 11 for storing the recording medium P, and a medium supply unit 12 for transporting and supplying the recording medium P from the paper feed tray 11 to the image recording unit 20. The medium supply unit 12 includes a ring-shaped belt whose inside is supported by two rollers, and the recording medium P is transferred from the paper feed tray 11 by rotating the rollers with the recording medium P placed on the belt. It is conveyed to the image recording unit 20.

The image recording unit 20 includes a transport unit 21 (moving means), a delivery unit 22, a heating unit 23, a head unit 24 (recording means), a fixing unit 25, an image reading unit 26, a delivery unit 27, and the like. Have.

The transport unit 21 holds the recording medium P placed on the transport surface 211a of the cylindrical transport drum 211, and the transport drum 211 extends in a direction (second direction) perpendicular to the drawing in FIG. The transport drum 211 and the recording medium P on the transport drum 211 are transported in the transport direction (first direction) by rotating around the rotation shaft (cylindrical shaft) and moving around. The transport drum 211 includes a claw portion and an intake portion (not shown) for holding the recording medium P on the transport surface 211a. The recording medium P is held on the transport surface 211a by pressing the end portion by the claw portion and attracting the recording medium P to the transport surface 211a by the intake portion. The transport unit 21 is connected to a transport drum motor (not shown) for rotating the transport drum 211, and the transport drum 211 rotates by an angle proportional to the amount of rotation of the transport drum motor.

The delivery unit 22 delivers the recording medium P conveyed by the medium supply unit 12 of the paper feed unit 10 to the transfer unit 21. The delivery unit 22 is provided at a position between the medium supply unit 12 and the transfer unit 21 of the paper feed unit 10, and one end of the recording medium P conveyed from the medium supply unit 12 is held by the swing arm unit 221 and picked up. , Delivered to the transport unit 21 via the delivery drum 222.

The heating unit 23 is provided between the arrangement position of the transfer drum 222 and the arrangement position of the head unit 24, and the recording medium P conveyed by the transfer unit 21 has a temperature within a predetermined temperature range. Heat P. The heating unit 23 has, for example, an infrared heater, and energizes the infrared heater based on a control signal supplied from the CPU 41 (FIG. 3) to generate heat of the infrared heater.

The head unit 24 connects the recording medium P to the recording medium P from a nozzle opening provided on the ink ejection surface facing the transport surface 211a of the transport drum 211 at an appropriate timing according to the rotation of the transport drum 211 holding the recording medium P. On the other hand, ink is ejected and an image is recorded. The head unit 24 is arranged so that the ink ejection surface and the transport surface 211a are separated by a predetermined distance. In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, four head units 24 corresponding to four colors of ink of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are in the transport direction of the recording medium P. They are arranged so as to be arranged at predetermined intervals in the order of Y, M, C, and K colors from the upstream side.

Each head unit 24 has a plurality of recording elements (six in the present embodiment) in which a plurality of recording elements are arranged in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording medium P (in the present embodiment, a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction). A head 242 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and a recording head driving unit 241 (FIG. 3) for driving the recording head 242 are provided.
Each of the recording elements provided in the recording head 242 includes a pressure chamber for storing ink, a piezoelectric element provided on the wall surface of the pressure chamber, and a nozzle 243 (FIG. 2). When a drive signal for deforming the piezoelectric element is input to this recording element, the pressure chamber is deformed due to the deformation of the piezoelectric element, the pressure in the pressure chamber changes, and ink is ejected from the nozzle 243 communicating with the pressure chamber. .. The amount of ink ejected from the nozzle 243 can be adjusted by changing the voltage intensity (amplitude) of the drive signal.
In the recording head 242, when a nozzle with poor ink ejection (defective nozzle) occurs due to processing variation during nozzle formation, variation in piezoelectric element characteristics, clogging of the nozzle, or clogging due to adhesion of foreign matter to the nozzle opening. There is.

The arrangement range of the recording element included in the head unit 24 in the width direction covers the range in the width direction of the region in which the image is recorded in the recording medium P conveyed by the transfer drum 211, and the head unit 24 When recording an image, the position is fixed with respect to the transport drum 211 and used. That is, the inkjet recording device 1 is an inkjet recording device that records a single-pass image using a line head.

As the ink ejected from the nozzle of the recording element, an ink having a property of changing its phase into a gel or sol depending on the temperature and being cured by irradiating with energy rays such as ultraviolet rays is used.
Further, in the present embodiment, an ink that is gel-like at room temperature and becomes sol-like when heated is used. The head unit 24 includes an ink heating unit (not shown) that heats the ink stored in the head unit 24, and the ink heating unit operates under the control of the CPU 41 to heat the ink to a sol-like temperature. .. The recording head 242 ejects the heated and sol-like ink. When this sol-like ink is ejected onto the recording medium P, the ink droplets land on the recording medium P and then are naturally cooled so that the ink quickly becomes a gel and solidifies on the recording medium P.

The fixing unit 25 has an energy ray irradiation unit arranged over the width in the width direction of the transport unit 21, and the recording medium P mounted on the transport unit 21 receives ultraviolet rays or the like from the energy ray irradiation unit. The ink ejected on the recording medium P is cured and fixed by irradiating with energy rays. The energy ray irradiation unit of the fixing unit 25 is arranged to face the transfer surface 211a from the arrangement position of the head unit 24 to the arrangement position of the delivery drum 271 of the delivery unit 27 in the transfer direction.

The image reading unit 26 is arranged so that the surface of the recording medium P on the transport surface 211a can be read at a position between the ink fixing position by the fixing unit 25 and the placement position of the delivery drum 271 in the transport direction. The image reading unit 26 includes a first imaging unit 26a (FIG. 3) (imaging means) having a first line sensor 262a and a second imaging unit 26b (FIG. 3) (imaging) having a second line sensor 262b. Means), and the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b (plurality of imaging means) capture imaging ranges on the surface of the recording medium P, which are partially different from each other, on the recording medium P. Read the image recorded in.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the configurations of the head unit 24 and the image reading unit 26. Here, of the head unit 24 and the image reading unit 26, the surfaces of the transport drum 211 facing the transport surface 211a are shown side by side so that the positional relationship in the width direction can be understood.
FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the head unit 24 and the image reading unit 26. Further, FIG. 2B shows a portion of the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b whose arrangement ranges overlap in the width direction, and a portion of the plurality of recording heads 242 corresponding to the portion. It is an enlarged figure.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b are image pickup devices composed of a plurality of image pickup devices 263 arranged at equal intervals in the width direction (second direction). Each has a group of 263G. The arrangement pitch of the image sensor 263 in the width direction in the image sensor group 263G does not have to be equal to the arrangement pitch in the width direction of the nozzle 243 in the head unit 24, and in the present embodiment, it is more than the arrangement pitch of the nozzle 243. Is also getting bigger.

In the image sensor group 263G of the first line sensor 262a, the image sensor group end vicinity range R1 within a predetermined neighborhood range from one end in the width direction in the arrangement range of the image sensor group 263G is the second line. Of the image sensor group 263G of the sensor 262b, the width direction overlaps with the range R1 near the end of the image sensor group on the other side. As a result, the arrangement ranges of the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b in the width direction of the image sensor group 263G are continuous. Of the image pickup elements 263 of the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b, the number of image pickup elements 263 included in the image sensor group end vicinity range R1 is 100 or more, respectively, and the image sensor group end portion. The length of the vicinity range R1 in the width direction depends on the arrangement density of the image sensor 263, but is preferably in the range of, for example, 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less. In FIG. 2B, the number of image sensors 263 is omitted (less than the actual number) due to space limitations in the drawings. Further, in the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b, the arrangement range of the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b in the width direction of the image sensor group 263G is the width of the head unit 24. It is provided so as to include the recording width of the image in the direction, that is, the arrangement range in the width direction of the nozzle 243.

The image sensor 263 receives the incident light reflected on the surface of the recording medium P among the light emitted from the light source (not shown), and outputs signals corresponding to the intensity of the incident light. The first line sensor 262a outputs a signal representing a one-dimensional image output from a plurality of image pickup elements 263 of the image pickup element group 263G to the first image pickup control unit 261a (FIG. 3), and outputs a signal representing the one-dimensional image to the first image pickup control unit 261a (FIG. 3), and the second line sensor 262b. Outputs a signal representing a one-dimensional image output from a plurality of image pickup devices 263 of the image pickup device group 263G to the second image pickup control unit 261a (FIG. 3).
Specifically, in each image sensor 263, three sub-image sensors that output signals corresponding to the intensities of the wavelength components of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) of the incident light are arranged in the transport direction. Has a configured configuration. Therefore, in the image sensor group 263G, three rows of sub-image sensors composed of sub-image sensors arranged in the width direction are provided corresponding to R, G, and B. The sub-imaging elements corresponding to R, G, and B are, for example, R, G, or R, G, or a light receiving portion of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor having a photodiode as a photoelectric conversion element. A color filter that transmits light of the wavelength component B can be used.

Here, the positional relationship between the recording head 242 of the head unit 24 and the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the head unit 24 includes six recording heads 242 attached to the attachment member 244. In the following, each of the six recording heads 242 will also be referred to as a first to sixth recording heads 242 in the order of arrangement in the width direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, each recording head 242 has a nozzle group 243G composed of a row of a plurality of nozzles 243 (nozzle rows) arranged at equal intervals in the width direction. The nozzle group 243G may be configured such that two or more nozzle rows are provided so that the arrangement positions of the nozzles 243 in each nozzle row in the width direction are deviated from each other. Further, the number of recording heads 242 included in the head unit 24 may be 5 or less or 7 or more.

The six recording heads 242 are arranged in a houndstooth pattern so that the arrangement ranges of the nozzle group 243G in the width direction are seamlessly connected. That is, in the plurality of recording heads 242, the nozzle group end vicinity range R2 within a predetermined neighborhood range from at least one end in the width direction in the arrangement range of the nozzle group 243G is the width direction of the other nozzle group 243G. It is provided so as to overlap with the nozzle group end vicinity range R2 on the other side of the above. As a result, the arrangement range of the nozzle group 243G of the six recording heads 242 in the width direction is continuous.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the six recording heads 242 have width directions in which the nozzle group end vicinity range R2 of the nozzle group 243G in the third recording head 242 and the fourth recording head 242 overlaps. Is provided so that the range R1 in the vicinity of the end of the image sensor group of the image sensor group 263G in the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b is included in the overlapping range in the width direction. Therefore, the first to third recording heads 242 are provided so that the arrangement range of the nozzle group 243G in the width direction is included in the arrangement range of the image sensor group 263G in the first line sensor 262a in the width direction. The fourth to sixth recording heads 242 are provided so that the arrangement range of the nozzle group 243G in the width direction is included in the arrangement range of the image sensor group 263G in the second line sensor 262b in the width direction. Has been done. In other words, the images recorded by the first to third recording heads 242 can be captured by the first line sensor 262a, and the images recorded by the fourth to sixth recording heads 242 can be captured. Imaging is possible with the second line sensor 262b.

The delivery unit 27 has a belt loop 272 having a ring-shaped belt whose inside is supported by two rollers, and a cylindrical transfer drum 271 that transfers the recording medium P from the transport unit 21 to the belt loop 272. The recording medium P delivered from the transfer unit 21 onto the belt loop 272 by the transfer drum 271 is conveyed by the belt loop 272 and sent to the paper ejection unit 30.

The paper ejection unit 30 has a plate-shaped paper ejection tray 31 on which the recording medium P sent out from the image recording unit 20 by the delivery unit 27 is placed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main functional configuration of the inkjet recording device 1.
The inkjet recording device 1 includes an image reading unit including a heating unit 23, a head unit 24 having a recording head driving unit 241 and a recording head 242, a fixing unit 25, and a first imaging unit 26a and a second imaging unit 26b. 26, a control unit 40, a transport drive unit 51, an operation display unit 52, an input / output interface 53, a bus 54, and the like are provided.
Of these, the first imaging unit 26a in the image reading unit 26 has a first imaging control unit 261a (imaging data correction means) and a first line sensor 262a, and the second imaging unit 26b has a second image pickup unit 26b. It has an image pickup control unit 261b (imaging data correction means) and a second line sensor 262b.

The control unit 40 includes a CPU 41 (Central Processing Unit) (recording control means, adjustment information generation means), a RAM 42 (Random Access Memory), a ROM 43 (Read Only Memory), and a storage unit 44 (storage means).

The CPU 41 reads out various control programs and setting data stored in the ROM 43, stores them in the RAM 42, executes the programs, and performs various arithmetic processes. In addition, the CPU 41 controls the overall operation of the inkjet recording device 1.

The RAM 42 provides the CPU 41 with a working memory space and stores temporary data. The RAM 42 may include a non-volatile memory.

The ROM 43 stores various control programs, setting data, and the like executed by the CPU 41. Instead of the ROM 43, a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory may be used.

The storage unit 44 stores the first imaging data storage unit 44a that stores the first imaging data generated by the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging data generated by the second imaging unit 26b. It has a second imaging data storage unit 44b. Imaging data is written to the first imaging data storage unit 44a and the second imaging data storage unit 44b independently of each other. Further, the first imaging data storage unit 44a and the second imaging data storage unit 44b are provided in parallel with the CPU 41 and can be accessed simultaneously by the CPU 41. The storage unit 44 may have other imaging data storage units other than the first imaging data storage unit 44a and the second imaging data storage unit 44b.
The storage unit 44 contains a print job (image recording command) input from the external device 2 via the input / output interface 53, image data related to the print job, test image data which is image data of a test chart described later, and an image. Calibration data and the like related to the calibration result of the reading unit 26 are stored. As the storage unit 44, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) may be used, or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like may be used in combination.

The recording head drive unit 241 supplies a drive signal for deforming the piezoelectric element according to the image data to the recording element of the recording head 242 at an appropriate timing, so that the pixel value of the image data is obtained from the nozzle of the recording head 242. Discharges an amount of ink according to the above.

The first image pickup control unit 261a causes the first line sensor 262a to image the surface of the recording medium P based on the control signal supplied from the CPU 41. Further, the first image pickup control unit 261a is a signal processing unit that generates line image pickup data based on the signal output from the image pickup element group 263G of the first line sensor 262a by the image pickup and outputs the line image pickup data to the control unit 40. Have.
Further, the second image pickup control unit 261b causes the second line sensor 262b to image the surface of the recording medium P based on the control signal supplied from the CPU 41. Further, the second image pickup control unit 261b is a signal processing unit that generates line image pickup data based on the signal output from the image pickup element group 263G of the second line sensor 262b by the image pickup and outputs the line image pickup data to the control unit 40. Have.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a portion of the first image pickup control unit 261a and the second image pickup control unit 261b corresponding to the signal processing unit.
The signal processing unit of the first image pickup control unit 261a includes a first amplification unit 2611a, a first AD conversion unit 2612a, a first white correction unit 2613a, and a first output unit 2614a.

The first amplification unit 2611a amplifies the signal output from the image sensor group 263G of the first line sensor 262a so as to be within a predetermined dynamic range, and outputs the signal to the first AD conversion unit 2612a.

The first AD conversion unit 2612a performs AD conversion (analog-digital conversion) on the signal input from the first amplification unit to generate digital data indicating the light detection intensity by the image sensor 263, for example, in 256 gradations. To do. The first AD conversion unit 2612a outputs the generated digital data to the first white correction unit 2613a.

The first white correction unit 2613a corrects the digital data input from the first AD conversion unit according to the calibration data generated in advance and stored in the storage unit 44 (hereinafter, also referred to as white correction). .. Here, the calibration data is digitally related to the conversion result of the signal obtained by imaging a predetermined standard white plate with each image sensor 263 in the image sensor group 263G of the first line sensor by the first AD conversion unit 2612a. It is a correction value that converts the data value into a value corresponding to the reflectance of the standard white plate. The first white correction unit 2613a multiplies the digital data input from the first AD conversion unit 2612a by the correction value to perform white correction, which is caused by the sensitivity variation of the image sensor 263 and the uneven illuminance of the light source. Generates image pickup data with error corrected. Further, the image pickup data generated here is line image pickup data composed of the same number of digital data as the number of image pickup elements 263 in the image pickup element group 263G of the first line sensor 262a. The first white correction unit 2613a outputs the generated line imaging data to the output unit 2614a.

The first output unit 2614a performs an output operation of serially transferring and outputting the line imaging data input from the first white correction unit 2613a to the first imaging data storage unit 44a of the storage unit 44. The first output unit 2614a performs parallel / serial conversion on the input line imaging data, and outputs the line imaging data as serial data to the imaging data storage unit 44a. As a configuration related to the generation of this serial data, for example, a shift register can be used.
The line imaging data output from the first output unit 2614a to the first imaging data storage unit 44a is stored in the first imaging data storage unit 44a by the CPU 41 as a part of the first imaging data.

The signal processing unit of the second image pickup control unit 261b includes a second amplification unit 2611b, a second AD conversion unit 2612b, a second white correction unit 2613b, and a second output unit 2614b. The configurations of the second amplification unit 2611b, the second AD conversion unit 2612b, the second white correction unit 2613b, and the second output unit 2614b are the first amplification unit 2611a, the first AD conversion unit 2612a, respectively. The configuration is the same as that of the first white correction unit 2613a and the first output unit 2614a. The signal processing unit of the second image pickup control unit 261b amplifies the signal output from the image pickup element group 263G of the second line sensor 262b by the second amplification unit 2611b, and AD by the second AD conversion unit 2612b. The line imaging data obtained by converting and correcting the converted digital data with the second white correction unit 2613b is serially transferred and output from the second output unit 2614b to the second imaging data storage unit 44b of the storage unit 44. To do. The line imaging data output from the second output unit 2614b to the second imaging data storage unit 44b is stored in the second imaging data storage unit 44b by the CPU 41 as a part of the second imaging data.

Here, the processing by the signal processing unit of the first imaging control unit 261a and the processing by the signal processing unit of the second imaging control unit 261b are executed independently of each other and at least a part of the period in parallel. To. In particular, the output operation by the first output unit 2614a of the first image pickup control unit 261a and the output operation by the second output unit 2614b of the second image pickup control unit 261b are partially or completely parallel to each other. It is done. By performing the output processing of the imaging data (line imaging data) from the first imaging control unit 261a and the second imaging control unit 261b in parallel (parallel) in this way, the output processing is sequentially (serial). The time from the start of imaging by the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b to the completion of the output of the imaging data to the storage unit 44 is significantly shortened as compared with the configuration performed.

The transfer drive unit 51 supplies a drive signal to the transfer drum motor of the transfer drum 211 based on the control signal supplied from the CPU 41 to rotate the transfer drum 211 at a predetermined speed and timing. Further, the transfer drive unit 51 supplies a drive signal to the motor for operating the medium supply unit 12, the delivery unit 22, and the delivery unit 27 based on the control signal supplied from the CPU 41, and transfers the recording medium P. The supply to the unit 21 and the discharge from the transport unit 21 are performed.

The operation display unit 52 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and an input device such as an operation key and a touch panel arranged on the screen of the display device. The operation display unit 52 displays various information on the display device, converts the user's input operation to the input device into an operation signal, and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 40.

The input / output interface 53 mediates the transmission and reception of data between the external device 2 and the control unit 40. The input / output interface 53 is composed of, for example, various serial interfaces, various parallel interfaces, or a combination thereof.

The bus 54 is a path for transmitting and receiving signals between the control unit 40 and other configurations.

The external device 2 is, for example, a personal computer, and supplies print jobs, image data, and the like to the control unit 40 via the input / output interface 53.

Next, a method of adjusting the ink ejection operation in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a test chart (test image) for detecting the presence or absence of ink ejection failure is recorded on the recording medium P together with a normal image of a recording target related to a print job. Then, the presence or absence of ink ejection failure is detected based on the image pickup result by the image reading unit 26 of this test chart, and the ink ejection amount and ink ejection timing of each nozzle 243 of the head unit 24 are corrected based on the detection result ( By adjusting), the ink ejection operation is adjusted.
Further, by performing the process related to reading the test chart by the image reading unit 26 in a short time, the ink ejection operation described above is continued while the conveying operation of the recording medium P by the conveying unit 21 and the image recording operation by the head unit 24 are continued. Can be adjusted.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of a normal image 61 and a test chart 62 recorded on the recording medium P.
The test chart 62 is recorded in a region (hereinafter, also referred to as a margin) in which the normal image 61 is not recorded on the recording medium P. In the present embodiment, the test chart 62 is recorded in the margin on the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium P.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the test chart 62.
FIG. 6 shows a portion (partial test chart 621) recorded by one of the recording heads 242 of the test chart 62.
When detecting the presence or absence of ink ejection from each nozzle 243, the amount of ink ejected, and the ink ejection position in the width direction from each nozzle 243, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the transport direction. A partial test chart 621 consisting of a plurality of extending line segments is recorded. The line segment of the partial test chart 621 of FIG. 6A is recorded by ejecting ink from each nozzle 243 while adjusting the ejection position in the transport direction so that the ejection ranges from each nozzle 243 do not overlap.
From the image capture result by the image reading unit 26 of the test chart 62 including the partial test chart 621 of FIG. 6A, a defective nozzle (missing nozzle) in which ink is not ejected, a defective nozzle having an abnormality in the ink ejection amount, and a width direction It is possible to detect a defective nozzle having an abnormality in the ink ejection position (ink ejection direction) of the above. When such a defective nozzle is detected, the image data is adjusted (corrected) to compensate for the ink ejection defect caused by the defective nozzle. That is, the correction for adjusting the image data so that the ink is not ejected from the defective nozzle and the amount of ink ejected from the peripheral nozzles 243 increases according to the amount of non-ejected ink from the defective nozzle. Adjustment information including values is generated, and the image data of the image recorded after the adjustment information is generated is adjusted according to the adjustment information.

When detecting the ink ejection position in the transport direction from each nozzle 243, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the ink ejection position extends in the width direction with a length corresponding to the recording width of each recording head 242. A partial test chart 621 consisting of a plurality of existing line segments is recorded. The line segment of the partial test chart 621 of FIG. 6B is recorded by ejecting ink from each nozzle 243 of the same recording head 242 in a short range in the transport direction all at once.
From the image capture result by the image reading unit 26 of the test chart 62 including the partial test chart 621 of FIG. 6B, it is possible to detect a defective nozzle having an abnormality in the ink landing position (ink ejection direction) in the transport direction. When such a defective nozzle is detected, adjustment information including a correction value for adjusting (correcting) the ink ejection timing from the defective nozzle is generated, and an image is recorded after the adjustment information is generated. In the operation, the ink ejection operation is performed at the timing adjusted according to the adjustment information. Alternatively, the adjustment information including the correction value for complementation described above may be calculated, and the image data may be corrected according to the adjustment information.

Further, when detecting the ink ejection position in the width direction and the transport direction of each nozzle 243, for example, as shown in FIG. 6C, a partial test chart 621 composed of points recorded by each nozzle 243 is displayed. Recorded.
From the image capture result by the image reading unit 26 of the test chart 62 including the partial test chart 621 of FIG. 6 (c), there is an abnormality in the defective nozzle that does not eject ink and the ink ejection position (ink ejection direction) in the width direction and the conveying direction. It is possible to detect a defective nozzle having. Therefore, adjustment information including a correction value for complementing the defective nozzle and / or a correction value for adjusting the ink ejection timing from the defective nozzle is generated, and adjustment is performed in the image recording operation after the adjustment information is generated. The image data is adjusted according to the information, and / or the ink ejection timing is adjusted according to the adjustment information.

Further, when detecting the variation in the ink ejection amount for each recording head 242, for example, as shown in FIG. 6D, a partial test chart 621 composed of gradation patterns recorded by each nozzle 243 of the recording head 242. (Gray chart) is recorded. The partial test chart 621 of FIG. 6D is recorded by gradually increasing or decreasing the amount of ink ejected from each nozzle for each short range in the transport direction.
From the image capture result by the image reading unit 26 of the test chart 62 including the partial test chart 621 of FIG. 6D recorded by each recording head 242 of the head unit 24, the variation in the ink ejection amount between the recording heads 242 was detected. In this case, adjustment information including a correction value for adjusting the voltage intensity of the drive signal supplied to a part or all of the recording heads 242 is generated so that the variation in the ink ejection amount is reduced. Then, in the image recording operation after the adjustment information is generated, a drive signal whose voltage strength is adjusted according to the adjustment information is supplied to the recording head 242 to record the image.

The test chart 62 described above is preferably formed separately for each YMCK color. If the test chart 62 cannot be recorded by all the recording heads 242 in the head unit 24 of each color of YMCK in the margin of one recording medium P, the test chart 62 is divided into a plurality of recording media P and recorded. Is also good.
The test chart 62 may be recorded on the entire recording medium P. In this case, for example, every time the head unit 24 records the normal image 61 to be recorded on a predetermined number of recording media P, the test chart 62 may be recorded on the next recording medium P. Further, when roll paper or continuous paper is used as the recording medium, the test chart 62 can be recorded every time the normal image 61 is recorded on the recording medium a predetermined number of times.
The type of the test chart 62 to be recorded on the recording medium P and the recording position of the test chart 62 on the recording medium P are determined based on, for example, an input operation by the user on the operation display unit 52.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the partial test chart 621 recorded by each of the plurality of recording heads 242.
In FIG. 7, a partial test chart 621a and a partial test chart 621b are recorded by a pair of recording heads 242 (third recording head 242 and fourth recording head 242) in which the arrangement ranges of the nozzle groups 243G in the width direction overlap, respectively. It is shown. In FIG. 7, the partial test chart 621 shown in FIG. 6A is shown as an example, but the partial test charts 621 shown in FIGS. 6B to 6D have the same arrangement. Recorded at.

As shown in FIG. 7, the partial test chart 621a and the partial test chart 621b recorded by each recording head 242 are recorded in regions separated from each other on the recording medium P. That is, the partial test chart 621a and the partial test chart 621b are recorded with their positions in the transport direction shifted so that the portions recorded by the nozzle 243 of the nozzle group end vicinity range R2 do not overlap. Further, since the recording heads 242 are arranged so that the overlapping range of the nozzle group end vicinity range R2 is included in the overlapping range of the image sensor group end vicinity range R1, the portion recorded by each recording head 242. The test chart 621a and the partial test chart 621b can each be imaged by a single image pickup unit. That is, in the example of FIG. 7, the entire partial test chart 621a is imaged by the first line sensor 262a in the first imaging unit 26a, and the entire partial test chart 621b is imaged by the second imaging unit 26b in the second imaging unit 26b. The image is taken by the line sensor 262b of.

Therefore, the first imaged data by the first line sensor 262a and the second imaged data by the second line sensor 262b are imaged data related to the partial test chart 621 recorded by different recording heads 242. ..
In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the first imaging data and the second imaging data are combined with each of the first imaging data and the second imaging data without combining the first imaging data and the second imaging data into a single imaging data. Based on this, adjustment information of the ink ejection operation in the recording head 242 corresponding to each imaging data is separately generated. That is, based on the first imaging data, adjustment information for adjusting the ink ejection operation in the first to third recording heads 242 corresponding to the first imaging data is generated, and based on the second imaging data. , Adjustment information for adjusting the ink ejection operation in the fourth to sixth recording heads 242 corresponding to the second imaging data is generated. As a result, the process for synthesizing the imaging data can be omitted, so that the process related to the adjustment of the ink ejection operation can be executed at a higher speed.

When the partial test chart 621a and the partial test chart 621b in FIG. 7 are, for example, the partial test chart 621 (gray chart) shown in FIG. 6 (d), the test chart 62 is imaged and obtained. Of each of the first image pickup data and the second image pickup data, the portion corresponding to the range R1 near the end of the image sensor group, that is, the overlapping portion imaged by both the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b. By comparing the representative values, it is possible to detect the amount of deviation between the detection sensitivity of the incident light by the first line sensor 262a and the detection sensitivity of the incident light by the second line sensor 262b. Here, as described above, among the image pickup elements 263 of the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b, the number of image pickup elements 263 included in the image sensor group end vicinity range R1 is 100 or more, respectively. Therefore, by calculating or acquiring the representative value of the overlapping portion corresponding to the image sensor group end vicinity range R1 of each of the first image pickup data and the second image pickup data, and comparing them, the image sensor group end It is possible to sufficiently smooth the variation in the detection sensitivity of the image sensor 263 in the portion vicinity range R1.
Further, the signals output from the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b, or the signals output from the second line sensor 262b, so that the difference between the representative values in the overlapping portions of the first imaging data and the second imaging data is reduced. By correcting the imaging data generated based on the output signal, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of errors between the imaging data when the same image is captured by the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b. can do.
In the present embodiment, the first white correction unit 2613a and the second white correction unit 2613b perform correction related to the detection sensitivity variation between the line sensors in addition to the white correction. The correction method is not limited to this, and may be performed by, for example, adjusting the amplification factor in the first amplification unit 2611a and the second amplification unit 2611b, and the first imaging data in the storage unit 44. It may be performed by correcting the data after being stored as the second imaging data.

In FIG. 7, the width directions of the two ranges Ra and the range Rb excluding the range in the width direction in which the range R1 near the end of the imaging element group overlaps from the range in the width direction in which the range R2 near the end of the nozzle group overlaps. Is smaller than the length in the width direction of the overlapping range of the range R2 near the end of the nozzle group, but the length in the width direction of at least one of the range Ra and the range Rb is set near the end of the nozzle group. It is more preferable that the length of the overlapping range of the range R2 is larger than the length in the width direction. By arranging the first line sensor 262a, the second line sensor 262b, and the recording head 242 so as to satisfy such a condition, a single recording is performed in a range where the image sensor group end vicinity range R1 overlaps. The head 242 can increase the range in which the test chart 62 is recorded. As a result, based on the reading result of the test chart 62, between the imaging data due to the difference between the detection sensitivity of the incident light by the first line sensor 262a and the detection sensitivity of the incident light by the second line sensor 262b. The occurrence of errors can be suppressed more appropriately.

As described above, the output processing of the line imaging data constituting the first imaging data to the first imaging data storage unit 44a by the first imaging unit 26a and the line imaging data constituting the second imaging data are the first. The output processing of the second imaging unit 26b to the second imaging data storage unit 44b is performed independently and in parallel with each other. As a result, as compared with the case where these output processes are serially performed, the first imaging data and the second imaging data related to the test chart 62 are stored in the storage unit 44 from the start of imaging of the test chart 62 by the image reading unit 26. The process until it is done is performed at high speed. In other words, the time from the start of imaging of the test chart 62 until the CPU 41 can access the first imaging data and the second imaging data becomes shorter. As a result, the CPU 41 can calculate the above-mentioned adjustment information in a shorter time, and the adjustment information can be reflected in the operation of the head unit 24 to adjust the ink ejection operation in a shorter time. As a result, the above-mentioned ink ejection operation can be adjusted while continuing the transfer operation of the recording medium P by the transfer unit 21 and the image recording operation by the head unit 24.

Subsequently, the control procedure of the image recording process by the inkjet recording apparatus 1 by the CPU 41 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the image recording process by the CPU 41.
This image recording process is executed when a print job and image data are input to the control unit 40 from the external device 2 via the input / output interface 53.
Prior to the start of the image recording process, the CPU 41 outputs a drive signal from the transfer drive unit 51 to the transfer drum motor of the transfer drum 211 to start the rotation operation of the transfer drum 211.

When the image recording process is started, the CPU 41 causes the head unit 24 to record the normal image 61 and the test chart 62 on the recording medium (step S101). That is, the CPU 41 supplies the image data of the normal image 61 and the test image data of the test chart 62 stored in the storage unit 44 from the recording head drive unit 241 to the recording head 242 at an appropriate timing according to the rotation of the transport drum 211. By causing the head unit 24 to eject ink to the recording medium P, the normal image 61 and the test chart 62 are recorded on the recording medium P. Further, the CPU 41 fixes the ink on the recording medium P by irradiating the ink with a predetermined energy ray by the fixing unit 25 at the timing when the recording medium P to which the ink is applied moves to the position of the fixing unit 25. Here, the CPU 41 sets a test chart 62 including any of the partial test charts 621 shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D in the margin of each recording medium P based on the instruction by the print job. Have them record.

The CPU 41 causes the image reading unit 26 to image the test chart 62 on the recording medium P (step S102: imaging step, storage step, imaging data output step). That is, the CPU 41 repeatedly reads the test chart 62 on the recording medium P by the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b of the image reading unit 26 at an appropriate timing according to the rotation of the transport drum 211. The storage unit 44 stores the first imaging data consisting of the line imaging data output from the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging data composed of the line imaging data output from the second imaging unit 26b.
In the process of step S102, the first image pickup control unit 261a of the first image pickup unit 26a has the first line at each of the appropriate timings according to the rotation of the transport drum 211 in response to the control signal from the CPU 41. A part of the test chart 62 on the recording medium P corresponding to the first line sensor 262a is imaged by the sensor 262a, and the signal output from the image sensor group 263G of the first line sensor 262a is amplified by the imaging. Line imaging data is generated by AD conversion and white correction, and the line imaging data is output from the first output unit 2614a to the first imaging data storage unit 44a of the storage unit 44.
Further, the second image pickup control unit 261b of the second image pickup unit 26b is recorded by the second line sensor 262b at each of the appropriate timings according to the rotation of the transport drum 211 in response to the control signal from the CPU 41. A part of the test chart 62 on P corresponding to the second line sensor 262b is imaged, and the signal output from the image sensor group 263G of the second line sensor 262b by the imaging is amplified, AD-converted, and white. The line imaging data is corrected and line imaging data is generated, and the line imaging data is output from the second output unit 2614b to the second imaging data storage unit 44b control unit 40 of the storage unit 44.
Here, the output operation of the line imaging data by the first output unit 2614a and the second output unit 2614b is performed in parallel for at least a part of the period.

The CPU 41 detects and adjusts ink ejection defects based on the first imaging data stored in the first imaging data storage unit 44a and the second imaging data stored in the second imaging data storage unit 44b. Is started (step S103).
That is, when the CPU 41 compares the image data when the test chart 62 recorded in step S101 is properly recorded with the first imaged data, and the result of the comparison does not satisfy a predetermined condition ( For example, when a specific line of the test chart in the imaged data is not in a predetermined position range), the recording head 242 corresponding to the first imaged data of the head unit 24 (that is, the first to third recording heads 242). It is determined that any of the nozzles 243 has an ink ejection defect. Further, the CPU 41 compares the image data when the test chart 62 is properly recorded with the second imaged data, and when the result of the comparison does not satisfy the above-mentioned predetermined condition, the head unit 24 It is determined that the nozzle 243 of any of the recording heads 242 (that is, the fourth to sixth recording heads 242) corresponding to the second imaging data has an ink ejection defect.
When it is determined that there is an ink ejection defect, the CPU 41 starts generating adjustment information according to the detected ink ejection defect. That is, the CPU 41 determines the correction value of the image data and the ink for complementing the defective nozzle according to the type of the test chart 62 (any of FIGS. 6A to 6D) recorded in step S101. Start the process of generating adjustment information for calculating one or more of the correction value of the discharge timing and the correction value of the voltage intensity of the drive signal. Here, the CPU 41 separates the portion of the adjustment information related to the recording head 242 corresponding to the first imaging data and the second imaging data based on each of the first imaging data and the second imaging data. To generate. When the adjustment information is generated, the CPU 41 stores the adjustment information in the RAM 42.
If the detected ink ejection failure is difficult to record an image with appropriate image quality by adjusting the ink ejection operation based on the adjustment information, instead of generating the adjustment information, Maintenance processing may be performed to recover from poor ink ejection. The maintenance process includes, for example, a process of forcibly ejecting ink from the nozzle 243 by pressurizing the ink in the recording head 242, a process of forcibly sucking ink from the nozzle 243 of the recording head 242, and a chemical solution. Examples thereof include a process of cleaning the ink ejection surface of the recording head 242 with the included wiping cloth. When the maintenance process is performed, the CPU 41 shifts the process to S101.
When it is determined that there is no ink ejection defect, the CPU 41 ends the process of step S103 without generating the adjustment information.
After the start of the ink ejection defect detection process, the CPU 41 executes the processes of step S104 and subsequent steps in parallel without waiting for the ink ejection defect detection completion and the adjustment information generation completion.

The CPU 41 determines whether or not there is (acquired) a new print job execution instruction (step S104). If it is determined that the information has been acquired (“YES” in step S104), the CPU 41 determines whether or not there is adjustment information (stored in the RAM 42) that has not yet been applied (step S105). .. If it is determined that all the adjustment information has already been applied or there is no adjustment information (“NO” in step S105), the CPU 41 shifts the process to step S101.

If it is determined that there is adjustment information that has not yet been applied (“YES” in step S105), the CPU 41 adjusts the ink ejection operation according to the adjustment information (step S106). That is, when the adjustment information relates to the correction value of the image data for complementing the defective nozzle, the CPU 41 sets to correct the image data according to the correction value. When the adjustment information relates to the correction value of the ink ejection timing of the specific nozzle 243, the CPU 41 sets to adjust the ink ejection timing of the nozzle 243. When the adjustment information relates to a correction value of the voltage intensity of the drive signal supplied to the specific recording head 242, the CPU 41 determines the voltage intensity of the drive signal supplied to the recording head 242. Make settings to adjust. When the process of step S106 is completed, the CPU 41 shifts the process to step S101. Therefore, in step S101, which is performed after the completion of step S106, the normal image 61 and the test chart 62 are recorded with the ink ejection operation adjusted.

If it is determined in step S104 that there is no execution command for a new print job (“NO” in step S104), the CPU 41 ends the image recording process.

As described above, in the image recording process of the present embodiment, the image is repeatedly recorded on one recording medium P related to the processes from step S101 to step S105 and the test chart 62 is imaged, and the adjustment information is generated. If so, the ink ejection operation is adjusted according to the adjustment information in step S106, and subsequent images are recorded. Therefore, the ink ejection operation is adjusted based on the imaging result of the test chart 62 while continuing the image recording operation.
The adjustment of the ink ejection operation based on the imaging result of the test chart 62 recorded on one recording medium P does not necessarily have to be executed by the time of recording on the next recording medium P, and the adjustment information is generated. It may be executed appropriately at the timing.

As described above, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a head unit 24 that ejects ink to the recording medium P and a first imaging that captures an image recorded by the head unit 24 on the recording medium P. The first imaging unit includes a unit 26a and a second imaging unit 26b, and a storage unit 44 that stores image capture data of images input from each of the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b. The 26a and the second imaging unit 26b are provided so that the imaging ranges on the surface of the recording medium P are at least partially different from each other, and the first imaging unit 26a is provided with the second imaging unit 26b for at least a part of the period. In parallel, the image pickup data is output to the storage unit 44. According to such a configuration, the output operation of the imaging data, which takes a relatively long time among the various processing operations related to the imaging data, can be performed in parallel by the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b. it can. As a result, as compared with the configuration in which the imaging data are sequentially (serially) output from the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit, the imaging generated by the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b, respectively. Data can be processed in a shorter time.

Further, the storage unit 44 has a first imaging data storage unit 44a and a second imaging data storage unit 44b, and each of the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b stores different imaging data. Output the imaging data to the unit. According to such a configuration, the output operation of the imaging data can be performed in parallel with a simple configuration.

Further, the inkjet recording device 1 includes a transport unit 21 that relatively moves the imaging range of the first image pickup unit 26a and the second image pickup unit 26b and the recording medium P in the transport direction, and includes the first image pickup unit 26a and the first image pickup unit 26a. Each of the image pickup units 26b of 2 has an image pickup element group 263G composed of a plurality of image pickup elements 263 arranged in the width direction intersecting the transport direction, and covers the surface of the recording medium P that moves relative to the image pickup range. Image pickup data is generated by taking an image with the image sensor group 263G. According to such a configuration, in a configuration in which the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b are provided with the first line sensor 262a and the second line sensor 262b, respectively, the signal output from each line sensor can be obtained. Based on the imaging data, the processing can be performed in a short time.

Further, the inkjet recording device 1 includes a CPU 41 as a recording control means for ejecting ink to the recording medium P by the head unit 24 and recording an image on the recording medium P, and the head unit 24 is provided with a CPU 41 in the width direction. It has a plurality of nozzles 243 provided over a predetermined recording width and ejects ink to the recording medium P, respectively. The transport unit 21 moves the head unit 24 and the recording medium P relative to each other in the transport direction, and the CPU 41. Is to record an image by the head unit 24 on a recording medium P that moves relative to the head unit 24 (recording control means). According to such a configuration, the transfer unit 21 moves the recording medium P relative to the head unit 24 to record an image by the plurality of nozzles 243 of the head unit 24, and the transfer unit 21 moves the image reading unit 26. The operation of moving the recording medium P relative to the imaging range of the above and reading the image on the recording medium P by the image reading unit 26 can be performed in parallel. As a result, image recording and image reading can be performed efficiently and in a short time.

Further, the CPU 41 records a predetermined test chart 62 by the head unit 24 (recording control means), and a plurality of nozzles are based on the imaging results of the test chart 62 by the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b. The adjustment information related to the adjustment of the ink ejection operation by 243 is generated (adjustment information generation means). According to such a configuration, the adjustment information can be generated in a short time by processing the imaged data of the test chart 62 captured by the image reading unit 26 in a short time. Therefore, the ink ejection operation of the nozzle 243 can be adjusted in a short time. As a result, for example, it is possible to adjust the ink ejection operation of the nozzle 243 while continuing the conveying operation of the recording medium P by the conveying unit 21 and the image recording operation by the head unit 24.

Further, the head unit 24 has a plurality of recording heads 242 each provided with a nozzle group 243G composed of a plurality of nozzles 243, and the plurality of recording heads 242 are the nozzle groups 243G in each of the plurality of recording heads 242. The arrangement range in the width direction is provided so as to be included in the arrangement range in the width direction of the image pickup element group 263G in one of the first image pickup unit 26a and the second image pickup unit 26b, respectively. According to such a configuration, the portion of the test chart 62 on the recording medium P recorded by each of the plurality of recording heads 242 is recorded by either the first imaging unit 26a or the second imaging unit 26b, respectively. Can be imaged only by. Therefore, the adjustment information used for adjusting the ink ejection operation of each recording head 242 is obtained from the imaging data generated by a single imaging unit (that is, either the first imaging data or the second imaging data). Can be generated. As a result, adjustment information used for adjusting the ink ejection operation of each recording head 242 can be generated without synthesizing the first imaging data and the second imaging data.

Further, the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b have a continuous arrangement range in the width direction of the image pickup element group 263G, and one end portion in the width direction in the arrangement range of the image pickup element group 263G. The image pickup element group end neighborhood range R1 within a predetermined neighborhood range is provided so as to overlap with the image pickup element group edge neighborhood range R1 of the image pickup element group 263G in the second image pickup unit 26b, and a plurality of recording heads 242. Is a continuous arrangement range of the plurality of nozzle groups 243G in the plurality of recording heads 242 in the width direction, and is near the end of the nozzle group within a predetermined neighborhood range from at least one side in the width direction of the nozzle group 243G. The range R2 is provided so as to overlap with the nozzle group end vicinity range R2 of any other nozzle group 243G, and the width direction in which the image pickup element group end vicinity range R1 of the image pickup element group 263G overlaps. The range is provided so as to include a range in the width direction in which the range R2 near the end of the nozzle group of the pair of nozzle groups 243G overlaps. According to such a configuration, the plurality of image sensor groups 263G in the first image pickup unit 26a and the second image pickup unit 26b can be more reliably arranged so that the arrangement range in the width direction is continuous. Further, the plurality of nozzle groups 243G in the plurality of recording heads 242 can be arranged more reliably so that the arrangement ranges in the width direction are continuous. Further, by configuring the imaging element group end vicinity range R1 to include one nozzle group end vicinity range R2, the width of the nozzle group 243G in the nozzle group end vicinity range R2 in the test chart 62. Partial test charts 621 recorded by a pair of recording heads 242 having overlapping orientation ranges can be imaged by only one of the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b, respectively. ..

Further, of the range in the width direction in which the pair of image pickup element group 263G image pickup element group end vicinity range R1 overlaps, the range in the width direction in which the nozzle group end portion vicinity range R2 of the pair of nozzle group 243G overlaps is excluded. It is desirable that at least one of these ranges has a length in the width direction larger than the length in the width direction of the overlapping nozzle group end vicinity range R2 in the pair of nozzle groups 243G. With such a configuration, the range in which the test chart 62 is recorded by the single recording head 242 can be increased in the range where the image sensor group end vicinity range R1 overlaps. As a result, based on the reading result of the test chart 62, between the imaging data due to the difference between the detection sensitivity of the incident light by the first line sensor 262a and the detection sensitivity of the incident light by the second line sensor 262b. The occurrence of errors can be suppressed more appropriately.

Further, in the test chart 62, the CPU 41 mutually records partial test charts 621 recorded by a pair of recording heads 242 in which the arrangement ranges of the nozzle groups 243G overlap in the image sensor group end vicinity range R1 on the recording medium P. Record in a separated area (recording control means). As a result, each of the partial test charts 621 in the test chart 62 can be more reliably imaged by any one of the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b.

Further, the CPU 41 is based on each of the first imaging data by the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging data by the second imaging unit 26b of the test chart 62, and the first imaging data and the adjustment information of the adjustment information A portion related to the recording head 242 corresponding to each of the second imaging data is separately generated (adjustment information generation means). As a result, the adjustment information can be generated without synthesizing the first imaging data and the second imaging data, so that the process for generating the adjustment information can be simplified and the time is short. Adjustment information can be generated.

Further, the CPU 41 detects a defective nozzle with poor ink ejection among the plurality of nozzles 243 based on the imaging result of the test chart 62, and records the defective nozzle with the head unit 24 so as to supplement the defective ink ejection. Of the image data related to the image, adjustment information for adjusting the defective nozzle and the data corresponding to the nozzle 243 around the defective nozzle is generated (adjustment information generating means), and the image data adjusted according to the adjustment information is generated. Based on this, the head unit 24 records an image (recording control means). With such a configuration, the ink ejection operation in the head unit 24 can be adjusted so as to compensate for the ink ejection failure due to the defective nozzle. Further, since the output operation of the imaging data of the test chart 62 by the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b is performed in parallel as described above, the ink ejection operation can be adjusted in a short time. it can.

Further, the CPU 41 detects a defective nozzle having an abnormality in the ink landing position with respect to the recording medium P in the transport direction among the plurality of nozzles 243 based on the imaging result of the test chart 62, and adjusts the ink ejection timing by the defective nozzle. The recording control means ejects ink by the head unit 24 so that the ink ejection timing by the defective nozzle is adjusted according to the adjustment information (adjustment information generating means). With such a configuration, the ink ejection position in the transport direction by the nozzle 243 can be adjusted. Further, since the output operation of the imaging data of the test chart 62 by the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b is performed in parallel as described above, the ink ejection position can be adjusted in a short time. it can.

Further, the head unit 24 has a plurality of recording heads 242 each provided with a nozzle group 243G composed of a plurality of nozzles 243, and the nozzle group 243G in each of the plurality of recording heads 242 is supplied to the recording head 242, respectively. An amount of ink corresponding to the voltage intensity of the drive signal to be output is ejected from the nozzle 243, and the CPU 41 ejects from the nozzle 243 of the nozzle group 243G by each of the plurality of recording heads 242 based on the imaging result of the test chart 62. The head unit generates adjustment information for adjusting the voltage intensity of the drive signal for adjusting the amount of ink to be formed (adjustment information generating means), and uses the drive signal whose voltage intensity is adjusted according to the adjustment information. An image is recorded by 24 (recording control means). With such a configuration, the ink ejection operation by the nozzle 243 can be adjusted so that the variation in the ink ejection amount by each recording head 242 is suppressed. Further, since the output operation of the imaging data of the test chart 62 by the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b is performed in parallel as described above, the ink ejection amount can be adjusted in a short time. ..

Further, the first image pickup unit 26a and the second image pickup unit 26b are of the first image pickup unit 26a and the second image pickup unit 26b in which the arrangement ranges of the image pickup element group 263G overlap in the image pickup element group end vicinity range R1. Based on the overlapping portion corresponding to the image sensor group end vicinity range R1 of the pair of imaging data of the test chart 62 imaged by each, the difference between the representative values in the overlapping portion in each of the pair of imaging data is calculated. The signal output from the image sensor group 263G of the first image pickup unit 26a and the second image pickup unit 26b or the image pickup data based on the output signal is corrected so as to be reduced (imaging data correction means). With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an error in the image pickup data due to the variation in the detection sensitivity of the image pickup device 263 between the first image pickup unit 26a and the second image pickup unit 26b.

Further, the number of image pickup devices 263 included in the image sensor group end vicinity range R1 in each of the pair of image pickup element groups 263G whose arrangement ranges overlap in the image pickup element group end vicinity range R1 is 100 or more. According to such a configuration, among the first image pickup data and the second image pickup data obtained by imaging the test chart 62 by the first image pickup unit 26a and the second image pickup unit 26b, respectively, the range near the end of the image sensor group. By acquiring the representative value from the data in the range corresponding to R1, the variation in the detection sensitivity of the image sensor 263 in the range can be sufficiently smoothed. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately suppress the occurrence of an error in the image pickup data due to the variation in the detection sensitivity of the image pickup device 263 between the first image pickup unit 26a and the second image pickup unit 26b.

Further, the CPU 41 causes the head unit 24 to record the test chart 62 in the area of the recording medium P where the normal image 61 to be recorded is not recorded (recording control means). As a result, the consumption of the recording medium P can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which only the test chart 62 is recorded on one recording medium P.

Further, the CPU 41 causes the head unit 24 to record the test chart 62 on the recording medium P every time the normal image 61 to be recorded is recorded on the recording medium P a predetermined number of times by the head unit 24 (recording control means). Thereby, the ink ejection defect of the nozzle 243 can be detected at a predetermined time interval, and the ink ejection operation of the nozzle 243 can be adjusted.

Further, the method for processing the imaging data of the inkjet image according to the present embodiment is an imaging step in which the inkjet image recorded by the head unit 24 on the recording medium P is imaged by the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b. In the imaging step, the imaging range on the surface of the recording medium P includes a storage step of storing the imaging data of the inkjet image input from each of the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b by the storage unit 44. An inkjet image is imaged by the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b provided at least partially different from each other, and the storage step is performed by the first imaging unit 26a at least with the second imaging unit 26b. The image data output step of outputting image data to the storage unit 44 in parallel for a part of the period is included. According to such a method, the output operation, which takes a relatively long time among the various processing operations related to the imaging data, can be performed in parallel by the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b. As a result, as compared with the method of sequentially (serially) outputting the imaging data from the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit, the imaging generated by the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b, respectively. Data can be processed in a shorter time.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and each modification, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the above embodiment, the first imaging data and the second imaging data are stored in the first imaging data storage unit 44a and the second imaging data storage unit 44b of the storage unit 44, respectively. However, the purpose is not limited to this, and the first imaging data and the second imaging data can output the imaging data in parallel from the first imaging unit 26a and the second imaging unit 26b, and the CPU 41 Can be stored in any imaging data storage unit that can be accessed at the same time. Further, the image pickup data storage unit may be provided in a storage device separately provided outside the inkjet recording device 1.

Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the image reading unit 26 has two imaging units has been described, but the number of imaging units may be three or more. In this case, the output operation by the output unit of one imaging unit is performed in parallel with at least a part of the output operation by the output unit of the other at least one imaging unit.

Further, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which each imaging unit has a line sensor has been described as an example, but as a configuration in which each imaging unit has an area sensor that images a two-dimensional range on the surface of the recording medium P. Is also good.

Further, in the above embodiment, the example in which the image reading unit 26 is provided in the inkjet recording device 1 has been described, but instead, the image reading device having a plurality of imaging means is outside the inkjet recording device 1. It may be configured separately.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first imaging data and the second imaging data are not combined, and adjustment information is separately generated based on each of the first imaging data and the second imaging data to eject ink. Although the explanation has been given using an example of adjusting the operation, the purpose is not limited to this, and the first imaging data and the second imaging data are combined and generated based on a single imaged data after the composition. The ink ejection operation of all the recording heads 242 may be adjusted based on the adjustment information.

Further, the test chart 62 is not limited to the one shown in FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (d), and another test chart capable of detecting an ink ejection defect may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the example of performing white correction in the first image pickup control unit 261a and the second image pickup control unit 261b has been described, but the white correction is performed after the image pickup data is stored in the storage unit 44. The imaged data may be processed by the CPU 41.

Further, in the above embodiment, the head unit 24 has been described with reference to an example having a plurality of recording heads 242 arranged in a houndstooth pattern, but the head unit 24 is configured to have a single recording head. You may.

Further, in the above embodiment, the single-pass type inkjet recording apparatus 1 that records an image while moving the recording medium P relative to the fixed head unit 24 has been described as an example, but the purpose is limited to this. Instead, the image may be recorded while the head unit is relatively moved with respect to the recording medium P. For example, the present invention is used in an inkjet recording apparatus that records an image by alternately repeating an operation of recording an image while scanning the head unit in the main scanning direction and an operation of moving the recording medium P in the sub-scanning direction. May be applied.

Further, in the above embodiment, the description has been made with reference to an example in which all the recording media P on which the image is recorded are conveyed to the output tray 31 of the output unit 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the paper ejection unit 30 is provided with a first paper ejection tray and a second paper ejection tray, and after an ink ejection defect is detected from the image pickup result of the test chart 62, the ink of the nozzle 243 based on the image pickup result is detected. The recording medium P on which the image was recorded was conveyed to the second paper ejection tray until the adjustment of the ejection operation was completed, and the recording medium P in which the ink ejection operation was adjusted and an appropriate image was recorded was performed. May be transported to the first transport unit. Further, in the embodiment in which the test chart 62 is recorded on the next recording medium P every time the normal image 61 is recorded on the predetermined number of recording media P, the recording medium P on which the test chart 62 is recorded is placed on the second paper ejection tray. May be transported to.

Further, in each of the above embodiments and modifications, the example in which the recording medium P is conveyed by the conveying drum 211 has been described, but the purpose is not limited to this, and for example, it is supported by two rollers and the rotation of the rollers is performed. The recording medium P may be conveyed by the conveying belt that moves accordingly.

Further, in each of the above embodiments and modifications, the test chart 62 has been described as an example of an image on the recording medium P read by the image reading unit 26, but the purpose is not limited to this, and the image reading unit 26 is used. The normal image 61 may be read.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the ink jet recording device 1 that heats and ejects ink that is gel-like at room temperature and becomes sol-like by heating into sol-like ink is described as an example, but is ejected from the head unit 24. As the ink, various known inks including inks that are sol-like or liquid at room temperature may be used.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the piezo-type inkjet recording device 1 using a piezoelectric element as an image recording device has been described as an example, but for example, bubbles are generated in the ink by heating to eject the ink. The present invention may be applied to a thermal inkjet recording apparatus.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof. ..

1 Inkjet recording device 2 External device 10 Paper feed unit 11 Paper feed tray 12 Media supply unit 20 Image recording unit 21 Transport unit 211 Transport drum 211a Transport surface 22 Delivery unit 23 Heating unit 24 Head unit 241 Recording head drive unit 242 Recording head 243 Nozzle 243G Nozzle group 244 Mounting member 25 Fixing unit 26 Image reading unit 26a First image sensor 261a First image sensor 262a First line sensor 2611a First amplification unit 2612a First AD conversion unit 2613a First White correction unit 2614a First output unit 26b Second image pickup unit 261b Second image pickup control unit 262b Second line sensor 2611b Second amplification unit 2612b Second AD conversion unit 2613b Second white correction unit 2614b Second Output unit 263 Image sensor 263G Image sensor group 27 Delivery unit 30 Paper discharge unit 31 Paper discharge tray 40 Control unit 41 CPU
42 RAM
43 ROM
44 Storage unit 44a First image pickup data storage unit 44b Second image pickup data storage unit 51 Transport drive unit 52 Operation display unit 53 Input / output interface 54 Bus 61 Normal images 62, 62a, 62b Test chart P Recording medium R1 Image sensor group Near-end range R2 Nozzle group Near-end range

Claims (10)

A recording means that ejects ink to a recording medium,
A plurality of imaging means for capturing an image recorded by the recording means on the recording medium, and
A plurality of imaging data correction means for correcting the imaging data of the image input from each of the plurality of imaging means according to predetermined calibration data.
A storage means for storing the corrected image pickup data of the image input from each of the plurality of image pickup data correction means, and a storage means.
A moving means that moves the imaging range of the plurality of imaging means and the recording medium relative to each other in the first direction, and moves the recording means and the recording medium relative to each other in the first direction.
A recording control means for ejecting ink by the recording means onto a recording medium that moves relative to the recording means to record the image and a predetermined test image on the recording medium.
An adjustment information generating means that generates adjustment information related to adjustment of ink ejection operation by the plurality of nozzles based on the imaging results of the test image by the plurality of imaging means.
With
Each of the plurality of image pickup means has an image pickup element group including a plurality of image pickup elements arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the image pickup range of the plurality of image pickup means is described. The surface of the relative moving recording medium is imaged by the image sensor group to generate the image pickup data.
The recording means is provided over a predetermined recording width in the second direction, has a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink to a recording medium, and is provided with a group of nozzles composed of the plurality of nozzles. Has multiple recording heads
The plurality of recording heads have the arrangement range of the nozzle group in each of the plurality of recording heads in the second direction of the image pickup device group in any one of the plurality of image pickup means. It is provided so as to be included in the arrangement range in the second direction.
Each of the plurality of imaging means is provided so that the imaging range on the surface of the recording medium is at least partially different from each other.
The plurality of image pickup means have a continuous arrangement range of the plurality of image pickup elements in the plurality of image pickup means in the second direction, and at least the arrangement range of the image pickup elements in the second direction. The range near the end of the image sensor group within a predetermined proximity range from one end is provided so as to overlap the range near the end of the image sensor group of any of the other image sensors.
The plurality of recording heads have a continuous arrangement range of the plurality of nozzle groups in the plurality of recording heads in the second direction, and at least one side of the plurality of recording heads in the arrangement range of the nozzle group in the second direction. A range near the end of the nozzle group within a predetermined proximity range from the end is provided so as to overlap the range near the end of the nozzle group of any other nozzle group, and at least a pair of the imaging elements. The range for the second direction in which the range near the end of the imaging element group of the group overlaps includes the range for the second direction in which the range near the end of the nozzle group of the pair of nozzles overlaps. Provided so that
The correction by at least one of the plurality of imaging data correction means and the output of the imaging data to the storage means, and the correction by the other at least one imaging data correction means and the imaging data to the storage means. Is output in parallel for at least some period of time,
Each of the plurality of image pickup data correction means has the image sensor group among the pair of image pickup data of the test image by the pair of image pickup means whose arrangement range of the image sensor group overlaps in the range near the end portion of the image sensor group. A signal output from the image sensor group of the pair of image pickup means so as to reduce the difference of representative values in the overlap portion of each of the pair of image pickup data based on the overlap portion corresponding to the end vicinity range. Or, correct the image sensor based on the output signal ,
Of the ranges in the second direction in which the range near the end of the image pickup element group of the pair of image pickup elements overlaps, the second range of the pair of nozzle groups near the end of the nozzle group overlaps. The length in the second direction of only one of the ranges excluding the range in the direction of is larger than the length in the second direction of the range near the end of the nozzle group overlapping in the pair of nozzle groups. An inkjet recording device that is also large. The storage means has a plurality of imaging data storage units, and has a plurality of imaging data storage units.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of imaging data correction means outputs the imaging data to the imaging data storage units that are different from each other. The recording control means separates the portions of the test image recorded by the pair of recording heads in which the arrangement ranges of the nozzle groups overlap in the range near the end of the image sensor group from each other on the recording medium. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image is recorded in an area. The adjustment information generation means separately generates a portion of the adjustment information related to a recording head corresponding to the plurality of imaging data based on each of the plurality of imaging data of the test image by the plurality of imaging means. an ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that. The adjustment information generating means detects a defective nozzle with poor ink ejection among the plurality of nozzles based on the imaging result of the test image, and uses the recording means so as to supplement the defective ink ejection of the defective nozzle. Among the image data related to the recorded image, the adjustment information for adjusting the data corresponding to the defective nozzle and the nozzles around the defective nozzle is generated.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the recording control means records an image by the recording means based on image data adjusted according to the adjustment information. The adjustment information generating means detects a defective nozzle having an abnormality in the ink landing position with respect to the recording medium in the first direction among the plurality of nozzles based on the imaging result of the test image, and ink by the defective nozzle. Generates the adjustment information that adjusts the discharge timing,
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the recording control means ejects ink by the recording means so that the ink ejection timing by the defective nozzle is adjusted according to the adjustment information. Inkjet recording device. The nozzle group in each of the plurality of recording heads ejects an amount of ink corresponding to the voltage intensity of the drive signal supplied to the recording head from the nozzles.
The adjustment information generating means determines the voltage intensity of the drive signal for adjusting the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles of the nozzle group by each of the plurality of recording heads based on the imaging result of the test image. Generate the adjustment information to be adjusted,
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the recording control means records an image by the recording means using a drive signal whose voltage intensity is adjusted according to the adjustment information. Inkjet recording device. The number of the image pickup elements included in the image pickup element group end vicinity portion in each of the pair of image pickup element groups having overlapping arrangement ranges in the image pickup element group end portion vicinity portion is 100 or more. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The inkjet according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the recording control means records the test image in a region of the recording medium on which the normal image to be recorded is not recorded by the recording means. Recording device. Any of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the recording control means causes the recording means to record the test image on the recording medium every time the recording means records the normal image to be recorded on the recording medium a predetermined number of times. The inkjet recording apparatus according to one item.

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